As the SAG-AFTRA actors strike and WGA writers strike continue to see Hollywood professionals on the picket line rather than working on film productions, some comments from Arrow’s Stephen Amell about the situation over the weekend sparked backlash. After the actor shared that he did “not support striking,” he came back around on Tuesday to clarify what he said in a lengthy statement.
When Amell spoke at GalaxyCon on Saturday, he shared some dissatisfaction with the ongoing strikes, saying he found the situation a “reductive negotiating tactic.” Now that the comments have run around, the Arrow actor seeks to clarify his original words. As he shared, in part, on Instagram:
Understandably, there has been a lot of reaction to the comments I made this weekend about our strike. To ensure there is no misunderstanding about my thoughts and intentions I’m providing what I actually said and clarity/context to ensure my feelings aren’t unintentionally misinterpreted. We all know soundbites can be taken out of context and I have too much respect for my fellow union members to not clarify the record.
Amell went on to go through each of the comments he made and clarify them. For example, he quoted himself saying “I do not support striking” and shared that this is what he meant in full context:
I understand fundamentally why we’re here. My off the cuff use of the word “support” is clearly contradictory to my true feelings and my emphatic statement that I stand with my union. Of course I don’t like striking. Nobody does. But we have to do what we have to do.
It sounds like the actor was misinterpreted for saying he didn’t support strikes because he didn’t support those striking, when apparently he was speaking more to the concept of striking itself. When clarifying his statement calling striking “reductive,” he said this:
I’m an actor and I was speaking extemporaneously for over an hour. I emote, but I certainly don’t think these issues are simple. Our leadership has an incredibly complicated job and I am grateful for all that they do. Despite some of my terrible early acting work, I assure you, I’m not a robot. From an intellectual perspective, I understand why we are striking, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t emotionally frustrating on many levels for all involved.
Amell also went on to say he is “simply sad” that he was not able to promote the latest season of his series Heels with his cast and crew, including close co-star Alexander Ludwig. During the SAG-AFTRA strikes, actors are not allowed to do promotion for their movie and TV projects. As Amell said in the statement, he “figuratively” and “literally” broke his back for Heels and he’s not allowed to talk about it. Stephen Amell posted the full statement on his Instagram. Check it out below:
The Hollywood strikes have been going on since May 1 when writers decided to take to the picket line after negotiations with execs did not meet their demands for change in the industry. As of July 14, the SAG-AFTRA strike has been going on as well for the same reasons. In the age of streaming, writers and actors have been citing unfair wages for their work.
The result of the Hollywood strikes has already taken an economic toll on the industry, and is leading studios to pause and delay major productions such as Deadpool 3 and Gladiator, which recently began filming. Additionally, in recent weeks a number of movies have received sizable delays on the 2023 movie schedule along with the 2023 TV schedule.
Amell’s comments speak to the frustration of being an actor at this moment in time when they cannot take work or even speak about the shows or movies they spent months, or sometimes years, filming and making a reality.
